Near Miss At Ludlow

I thought that Armenian Boy ran a good race in defeat at Ludlow yesterday.  Our seven year old finished a close second to favourite Court Red Handed, and was conceding 8lbs to the winner.  The only problem is that the handicapper will most likely stick a few more pounds on his back for his trouble.

The most impressive winner on the card was Golan Way who landed the beginners chase with any amount in hand.  He was entitled to win on his hurdles form, but that does not always translate to the bigger obstacles, and I was particularly impressed with the way in which he attacked his fences.

The heavy ground at Nottingham yesterday seemed to find out quite a few of the fancied flat runners out.  Only two favourites won and to round the meeting off there was a 66/1 shock as Commander Wish won his first race for over two years under 7lbs apprentice Victoria Fletcher...I don't think she is related to Mickey Fletcher (The Asparagus Kid), or you would have heard her!  I wonder what Mickey is doing these days?...he is probably sun bathing on some far away beach.

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I see that it is Steve Gollings 57th birthday today.  He has a fancied runner in the bumper at Worcester this afternoon - it is amazing just how many owners and trainers like to have a birthday winner...could Shan Blue be the one?

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We were joined this morning by the Racing Post's award winning photographer Ed Whittaker who came down to take pictures of some of the horses on the gallops.  Sadly I wasn't around to give him a few pointers, so I am sure he will feel that his visit wasn't entirely complete, but I am certain that his photo's will be of their usual exemplary standard.  Anyway, as you can see from the pictures below, Ed goes to some lengths to get the right shots for the Post...one thing's for sure though, you won't catch me lying on the floor taking pictures!

  
Left: Ed Whittaker taking some shots on the gallops this morning, and Right: I'm not sure the Post are paying him to sleep on the job!